Chargé Coolidge to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, May 4,
1905.
No. 1876.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that on April
27 the Japanese minister handed me a pro memoria with regard to certain
alleged preparations of the Russian war vessels interned at Shanghai for
active service. He also stated that his government had made
representations on the subject to the American and British Governments.
I immediately telegraphed to Mr. Davidson, in Shanghai, for information,
and on receipt of his reply wired to the Department, as confirmed
below.
* * * * * * *
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Pro memoria from the Japanese Minister at
Peking.
According to a report received on the 18th of April the landing of
the officers and crew of the Russian war vessels now under detention
at Shanghai had been stopped from the preceding day. The deficiency
in the officers and crew, it is stated, is to be supplemented from
those who are present there after release on parole at Port Arthur,
and every preparation is made for putting them to sea at any
moment.
It was also reported on the same day that in case the Russian vessels
effect their escape from Shanghai they are to be guided down to
Wusung by a Russian training ship now at that port, thence to be
piloted by Russian officers through a north passage, which they had
hitherto been carefully investigating for that purpose.
On the 19th instant it was reported on a reliable authority that the
Askold was obtaining on the 17th instant
vent pieces, breechblocks, and other things from William Holliday, a
British machinery agent.
On the same day it was also reported from a reliable informant that
the furnace of the Manjour had been working
in full order after midnight of the 16th instant and that there was
also no less activity of the same sort on board the Askold, sounds of hammers being heard
throughout the same night.
On the 20th instant the Askold was taking on
board 300 tons of Cardiff coal besides 1,000 tons of coal which are
already kept in her bunkers.
[Inclosure 2.]
Chargé Coolidge
to Prince of Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, April 30,
1905.
Your Imperial Highness: I am directed by my
government to inform your imperial highness that the Japanese
Government represented that the Russians are preparing for active
service the war vessels interned at Shanghai, a violation of
neutrality which the Chinese
[Page 143]
Government is able to prevent if so disposed; that the Japanese
Government having tried in vain to make China realize her sense of
responsibility, believes it will be fully justified in taking all
necessary measures in order to protect itself against the constant
danger arising from practically warlike preparations of the interned
vessels.
I am further instructed to point out to your imperial highness the
gravity of the situation and to urge that no proper effort be spared
by the Chinese Government to maintain its neutrality.
I seize the opportunity, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Prince of Ch’ing to
Chargé Coolidge.
On the 26th of the 3d moon of this year [April 30, 1905] I had the
honor to receive a dispatch from your excellency, stating that the
Japanese Government had represented to your government that the
Russians were preparing for active service their vessels interned at
Shanghai, a direct violation of neutrality which the Chinese
Government could prevent if so disposed, and that Japan would feel
fully justified in taking all necessary measures to protect itself
against the constant danger arising from the practically warlike
preparations of the interned Russian vessels; that the situation is
very grave, and you urge my governernment to spare no effort to
maintain its neutrality.
As to this matter sometime ago my board, hearing it reported that the
Russian war vessels interned at Shanghai were scheming to put to
sea, sent telegrams repeatedly to the superintendent of trade for
the south, instructing him to direct his subordinates concerned to
investigate and learn the facts, and received a reply [stating that]
the Russian war vessels were in no different condition from that
after the removal of parts of their machinery; that additional war
vessels had already been detailed [to watch] and in concert with the
custom taot’ai were taking strict and secret protective measures;
that not the slightest remissness was being shown.
Moreover my board sent a dispatch to the Russian minister [asking
him] to instruct the Russian war vessels at Shanghai on no account
to attempt such a thing.
Shanghai is a busy commercial port, and it is China’s earnest desire
and for the general interest as well that the belligerent nations
should avoid any violation [of its neutrality]; China is observing
strict neutrality, and will most certainly exert herself to devise
means to fully discharge her responsibilities.
I have to thank the American Government for its kind concern, and, as
in duty bound, I send this reply for your excellency’s information
and that you may transmit the same.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsü, XXXI year, 3d moon, 28th day
[May 2, 1905].
[seal.]
